Institute Research
From its founding, the Institute maintained an interest in the development of knowledge about the critical issues and complex dynamics of symphony organizations. In large part, mainstream academic organizational behavior research has focused on commercial organizations. Only recently has some attention been directed toward performing arts organizations.

With that in mind, the Institute developed and maintained an extensive bibliography of writings and research about symphony organizations (see Related Links).

Also, the Institute, from time to time, sponsored research on topics of interest to symphony organization constituents. In 1996 the Institute awarded two doctoral research grants in support of symphony organizational research.

The first, "Improving the Orchestra's Revenue Position: Practical Tactics and General Strategies," authored by Dr. Arthur Brooks, was published and distributed with Harmony #5. The second, "Stress and Job Satisfaction Among Symphony Musicians" co-authored by Dr. John Breda and Dr. Patrick Kulesa, was published in 1999. Copies of each, in PDF format, are available through the Related Links above at the right. Printed copies may be obtained from the Institute at a cost of $25.00 each.

With the consent of the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians, the Institute has analyzed data on conductor evaluations created by ICSOM orchestra members over the ten-year period from 1988 to 1997 and maintained at Wayne State University. CEDAP (Conductor Evaluation Data Analysis Project) attempted to determine what, if anything, these data revealed about various dimensions of orchestra conducting in the opinion of a large sample of orchestra players. The report is available in PDF format under Related Links at the top right of this page.

Bibliography

Brooks Report (PDF)

Breda/Kulesa Report (PDF)

CEDAP Report (PDF)